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Politics · October 19, 2026

Trump faces bipartisan backlash over waiving Russia sanctions

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President Trump has issued an executive order waiving new sanctions on Russia shortly before they were set to take effect, citing national interest and a desire to keep Russia at the negotiating table for peace talks. The move has triggered significant bipartisan backlash from lawmakers who argue it undermines U.S. foreign policy and rewards Russian aggression. The waiver follows a deal to import Russian diesel as the administration faces pressure to lower domestic fuel prices ahead of midterm elections. Simultaneously, reports have emerged of degraded Starlink and Starshield services in Ukraine, impacting defense capabilities, which has prompted calls for a congressional investigation into the source of the service disruptions.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • President Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions provided for in the Graham Act.
  • The sanctions were scheduled to go into effect two days after the waiver was issued.
  • The administration recently announced a deal to import 300,000 tons of Russian diesel.
  • Lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Senators Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, and Kevin Cramer, have criticized the decision.
  • President Trump stated the waiver is intended to keep Russia at the negotiating table for peace talks.
  • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that Starshield network speeds have been throttled, hindering drone interception.

Reported by only some outlets

  • The U.S. uses approximately 4.1 million barrels of diesel per day.
  • The Graham Act was signed into law on September 18.
  • Elon Musk stated that Starshield systems are controlled by the U.S. government and POTUS.
  • Senator Tillis and Senator Blumenthal reported that Zelenskyy noted disruptions to U.S. intelligence sharing regarding missile launches.

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